Less than 15 percent of Arkansas children who qualify for free or reduced lunch at school receive support during the summer. Local efforts are being made to increase the number of children receiving meals.

L.V. Williamson Boys and Girls Club in Russellville is one place children can go to recieve food in the sumemr. They are funded through the Arkansas Special Nutrition Program. L.V. Williamson Boys and Girls Club is an area eligible program. They serve Oakland HeightsElementary School, a district where more than 50 percent of children qualify for free or reduced lunch.

“We feed any kids up until they turn 19 who are still in school, no questions asked,” Carla Emberton, nutrition coordinator for the Boys and Girls Club said Monday. “It’s a wonderful program, parents love it. It makes it easier on the parents.”

Lunch is served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. An afternoon snack is served from 2:30-3:30 p.m.

“We try to keep it as healthy as possible and still serve food they like,” Emberton said.

Emberton also prepares the food that is served at the Dardanelle Boys and Girls Club summer food program.

The Dardanelle Backpack Program is looking into starting a summer program.

During the school year, the program provides food for children to eat over the weekend.

“I’m told that there are about 300 kids who come to school hungry on Monday,” Chris Weber, coordinator for the Dardanelle Backpack Program said.

Weber said that he was looking for ways to expand the program for the summer.

He said the plan is to get in touch with the Dardanelle Boys and Girls Club to set up their weekend food program there.